WHAT THE )&^#)^%(&~$@)_ IS THIS STUFF COMING OFF MY HAM????????

seadog92

Smoke Blower

Original poster

Sep 13, 2013

122

24

• Sep 5, 2014

• #1

OK people, Ever see the movie the BLOB????  I took my two picnics out of the brine today, and instead of pouring off the water brine (I used POPs recipe and it stayed in for 15 days), I poured off this brown sludge that reminded me what Steve McQueen was running from!!  It was really strange!  No bad smell, no scum or any other type of indicator that shows it had turned bad.

sludge 1.jpg

• seadog92
• Sep 5, 2014

I've never heard anyone report this....Is it normal? 

sludge 2.jpg

• seadog92
• Sep 5, 2014

Does anyone know what this might be?   The meat seems fine, no indication of anything out of the ordinary.  Did I not have enough water?  Is this protein coming out of the meat??

 

DanMcG

Smoking Guru

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Feb 3, 2009

5,682

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Central NY

• Sep 5, 2014

• #2

Do a search for ropy as that's what its called, but for the life of me I cant remember what causes it. I think it has to do with sugar purity........If I find something I'll post it for ya....

 

Last edited: Sep 5, 2014

dirtsailor2003

Epic Pitmaster

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Oct 4, 2012

21,947

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Bend Oregon

• Sep 5, 2014

• #3

Yep Ropey brine. Your meat is fine as long as it smells okay.

Check this thread out:

http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/t/168394/is-my-bacon-ok

 

Last edited: Sep 5, 2014

seadog92

Smoke Blower

Original poster

Thread starter

Sep 13, 2013

122

24

• Sep 5, 2014

• #4

Thank you!!!! Boy was I worried. Next time I'll use dextrose or pure cane sugar.

 

Bearcarver

Gone but not forgotten RIP

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Group Lead

Sep 12, 2009

45,279

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Macungie, PA

• Sep 5, 2014

• #5

I don't know where you live, but that Blob showed up in Downingtown, PA (Where "IrishTeabear" lives).

If you can't get rid of it, try using a Fire Extinguisher on it, or freeze it.

They took it to the Arctic to get rid of it, but with the Global warming, it might be back again!!! 

Bear

 

daveomak

SMF Hall of Fame Pitmaster

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Nov 12, 2010

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Omak,Washington,U.S.A.

• Sep 5, 2014

• #6

When making brine....
Use boiled, and cooled water or distilled water... and clean everything with vinegar... and or boil the brining solution..... BUT...... DO NOT BOIL THE BRINE WITH THE CURE IN IT...... I have read somewhere, nitrite starts to break down at about 130 ish degrees...

 

Last edited: Sep 5, 2014

seadog92

Smoke Blower

Original poster

Thread starter

Sep 13, 2013

122

24

• Sep 5, 2014

• #7

BEAR, I just started talking politics and it slid off the meat and down the drain. Been thinking if it happens next time, I'll ship it to Washington.

 

venture

Smoking Guru

OTBS Member

Aug 1, 2008

6,948

73

Central California

• Sep 5, 2014

• #8

This is not that uncommon.

As Dave says, be careful about the heat over-activating and negating the cure before you want it to.

Good luck and good smoking.

 

zalbar

Fire Starter

Nov 25, 2012

56

12

Montreal, Canada

• Sep 12, 2014

• #9

Been there, done that. Alarms the heck outta ya the first time you see it. It's like this huge bucket of snot.

Too much sugar :)

 

seadog92

Smoke Blower

Original poster

Thread starter

Sep 13, 2013

122

24

• Sep 12, 2014

• #10

It sure did freak me out!!!!